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The tradeoffs of using female suicide bombers

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  • Michael J. Soules

Abstract

Why are there so few female suicide bombers despite their tactical effectiveness? To explain the rarity of this phenomenon, I examine the tradeoffs that armed groups face when using female suicide bombers. While rigid gender norms make female bombers more effective because security personnel are less suspicious of them, gender inequality also drives down the demand for female suicide bombers. I posit that the tradeoffs of using female bombers induce a curvilinear relationship between women’s status and the prevalence of female suicide bombers. Specifically, I argue that female bombers will be more common in countries with middling levels of gender equality than in highly equal or unequal societies. Using data on over 5,500 suicide attacks, from 1974 to 2016, I find support for this hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Michael J. Soules, 2022. "The tradeoffs of using female suicide bombers," Conflict Management and Peace Science, Peace Science Society (International), vol. 39(1), pages 3-23, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:compsc:v:39:y:2022:i:1:p:3-23
    DOI: 10.1177/0738894220948506
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Efraim Benmelech & Claude Berrebi, 2007. "Human Capital and the Productivity of Suicide Bombers," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 21(3), pages 223-238, Summer.
    2. Scott Atran, 2003. "Genesis of Suicide Terrorm (supporting online material)," Post-Print ijn_00000344, HAL.
    3. Nakissa P. Jahanbani & Charmaine N. Willis, 2019. "The ballot or the bomb belt: the roots of female suicide terrorism before and after 9/11," Small Wars and Insurgencies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 30(6-7), pages 1117-1150, November.
    4. King, Gary & Zeng, Langche, 2001. "Logistic Regression in Rare Events Data," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 9(2), pages 137-163, January.
    5. Putnam, Robert D., 1988. "Diplomacy and domestic politics: the logic of two-level games," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 42(3), pages 427-460, July.
    6. Thomas, Jakana L. & Bond, Kanisha D., 2015. "Women's Participation in Violent Political Organizations," American Political Science Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 109(3), pages 488-506, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kiran M. Sarma & Sarah L. Carthy & Katie M. Cox, 2022. "Mental disorder, psychological problems and terrorist behaviour: A systematic review and meta‐analysis," Campbell Systematic Reviews, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(3), September.

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